Jean-Patrick Ascenci, Application Portfolio Analytics, Cloud Readiness & Software Risk Exposure, CAST Software

For more than a decade, JP has assisted 100+ organizations focused on Enterprise Architecture and Application Portfolio Management across the world and across industries. Whether the deliverables are tactical or strategic, JP strives to implement an iterative and adaptable approach to consistently deliver value and achieve organizational objectives. For the last five years, JP has been focusing on the development of integrated solutions in EA, APM and PPM to create rapid, tangible and durable business value. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering from ESIEA in Paris and an MBA in Strategic Planning from ESC Montpellier.

Nimrod Bareket, Senior Enterprise Architect, U.S. Cellular

Nimrod Bareket is a Senior Enterprise Architecture at U.S. Cellular, the fifth-largest wireless carrier in the United States. He drives the company’s technology strategies for customer and associate engagement channels, digital transformation and core business support systems, and empowers business partners across the enterprise to execute on their respective tactics and achieve business objectives. Prior to his time at U.S. Cellular, Nimrod held a number of architecture positions for Amdocs, a global leader in customer care and billing solutions for the telecommunications industry, where he helped some of the world’s largest wireless carriers to modernize their IT systems and enabled them to engage their customers with the newest wireless technologies.

General Grant, Executive Consultant, US Signal

General Grant, an Executive Consultant for US Signal, specializes in multi speed IT models brought about by disruptive change. General’s work centers primarily on strategies that enable cloud ramp and cloud adoption.

As a leading practitioner for IT operating model transformation, he is responsible for consulting to US Signal’s large and strategic account relationships, bringing experience to bear on client transformation programs in areas such as roadmap development, initiative sequencing, capabilities alignment, value stream mapping, compliance and risk, people and culture and multi-source models.

General has been an entrepreneur, technology practitioner and consultant for more than 25 years and has led technology and change programs in banking, insurance, healthcare, sports, casino, and manufacturing industries in North America and Europe.

Adam Hicks, Sr. Solutions Architect, Morpheus Data

Adam Hicks has a diverse background in the Enterprise. He has spent time as a web-developer, big-data developer, systems engineer and build/release manager. It was in the latter role that Adam gained an intense interest in developing efficiencies that could improve the software delivery strategy. At Morpheus Adam helps his customers design efficient multi-cloud automation and orchestration processes to achieve their DevOps dreams.

Ted Kieffer, Director Enterprise Architecture, Grainger

Ted Kieffer is an IT veteran who transitioned into Enterprise Architecture in 2012. He has written and edited for CIO Review and Syngress Media, as well as taught technical courses for Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX. Building on rich, industry-spanning experience he served in Walmart’s Enterprise architecture practice with a focus on information, integration, and security architecture in Bentonville, AR. Ted currently works at Grainger in Chicago, IL where he is working hard to build transition strategies and business engagement for digital, sales, and information security.

Aaron King, RSM, US Signal

As Director of Data Center Strategies at US Signal, Aaron King helps clients design and implement business continuity strategies built on best practices. After 20 years of experience in business continuity and disaster recovery engineering and operations, Aaron now works in the business development side not only implementing business continuity strategies but also helping clients with IT Transformation and Cloud Migration.

Dennis Payonk, VP Engineering, VillageMD

For over a decade, Dennis has been devoted to building technology and data analytics platforms. He is a hands-on technology leader with experience in various healthcare and startup organizations including Accretive Health. Outside of work, Dennis enjoys staying on the cutting edge of software and hardware development, travelling with his wife, and playing golf.

William Robinson, Managing Consultant, BiZZdesign

Over the past 20+ years, William has served in various strategic and operational roles, primarily in the areas of Enterprise Architecture, Software & Systems Engineering, Project and Portfolio Management, and IT Governance.  His diverse background includes leading major initiatives for both public- and private-sector organizations, such as Enterprise Architecture Program Implementation & Development, Software Engineering Process Improvement, Large-scale Agile Program Implementation, Sarbanes-Oxley Compliance, and Project Portfolio Management Development and Implementation, etc.  William holds a BSc in Computer Science, an MSc in Engineering Management, as well as various certifications, including ArchiMate®, Project Management (PMI) and Agile.

William resides in San Diego (Point Loma), California with his wife and teenage daughter and enjoys a multitude of outdoor activities, including scuba diving and snorkeling, sailing, and bicycling.  He is also an avid consumer of knowledge, especially in the areas of geopolitics and economics.

Venu Yalavarthi, Global Head of Enterprise Architecture, Ingredion Incorporated

Venu Yalavarthi is the Global Head of Enterprise Architecture at Ingredion, a leading global ingredients solutions company. Prior to current role, he led EA and Data Management practices in fortune 500 companies including Walgreens, Whirlpool, and Jones Lang LaSalle.

Venu established multiple EA foundations and successfully led several business and technology transformation initiatives in Application Rationalization, IOT Analytics, Big Data, Robotic Process Automation, ERP, and Digital Transformation.

He is a dynamic thought leader, and innovator focused on business transformation/optimization, technology strategies, roadmaps, IT-business alignment, IT powered business innovation, governance in realization of business strategies driving competitive advantage, sustainable growth and business value.

Venu holds Master of Science degree in Electrical & Electronics Engineering; and he was a member of SIM EA Working Group in advancing and promoting EA practice.